Sturgill Simpson

Michael Rank (solo)

Sturgill Simpson

Nashville sounds like Nashville again on High Top Mountain, the debut release from singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson. From furious honky-tonk and pre-outlaw country-rocking to spellbinding bluegrass pickin' and emotional balladry, the album serves as a one-stop guide to everything that made real country music such a force to be reckoned with. Pure and uncompromising, devoid of gloss and fakery, High Top Mountain's dozen instant classics evoke the sound of timeless country in its many guises and brings back the lyrical forthrightness and depth that permeated the music Simpson absorbed during his Kentucky childhood.

Michael Rank (solo)

Straddling the tailgate of Keith Richards and Gram Parsons. With an injection of Steve Earle and Chris Knight in the line. The 2012 Valentine’s Day debut “Kin” and 2013's Valentine's release "In the Weeds" from Michael Rank and Stag were given a kind reception:
“Kin’s locked up a slot on my No Depression Best of 2012 list...Highly Recommended”, No Depression
“On what is a set of wonderfully ramshackle country leaning rock songs...wonderful stuff. To his and the musicians’ credit they deliver in spades with what is one of the most invigorating albums we’ve heard this year”, Blabber ‘n Smoke
“With more vital body fluids spilling from these grooves than Shoot Out The Lights and Blood On TheTracks combined, the new solo album from Snatches of PinK frontman Michael Rank makes for an exhausting ride. As classic breakup albums go, Kin is more than just effective - it’s utterly inspiring”, Blurt Magazine
“Some people epitomise rock and roll...Rank is such a person. His rock and roll attitude permeates every part of these recordings. it is the epitome of what Americana meant fifteen years ago.”, Americana UK
“If there’s a secret to making timeless roots rock records then Michael Rank has discovered the formula.”, Beat Surrender
“This is an album full of bloody fingernails, regurgitated poison pills, and swallowed tears, and yet you can’t turn it off or even look away.” Americana Music Show
"A sort of damaged-goods manifest on a wanted poster", Yes Weekly
“The songs bleed with bitterness over the end of a relationship, again the stuff of great country rock. Rank has a great feel for the swagger and grease of the best rock’n’roll and it’s all here.”, When You Motor Away
“Musically and lyrically raw. And real. And intense. And cathartic. And Beautiful.”, Graypunk
“Kin is Rak’s ‘ Wild Horses’ “, Hopscotch Festival Preview
"Rank is a rock-n-roll survivor who has created two stellar discs in the past year demonstrating himself to be talented songwriter truly hitting his stride. Highly recommended", NoDepression
"The harrowing break-up album typically precedes the record of bloodshot Sunday-morning blues, but leave it to Michael Rank to fuck up a formula", Independent Weekly.
Enter October 2013's "Mermaids". Michael Rank is once again accompliced by some of North Carolina’s finest Country, Bluegrass and Americana players in the fold.